NEWS UPDATES FROM THE VI REGION
April 4, 2023
Greetings respected Vancouver Island First Nations Leadership;
Welcome to our VI Regional e-newsletter. This newsletter will highlight updates for the Vancouver Island region from the FNHA, Island Health, Government of BC, Government of Canada, alongside many other partners.
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In today's edition you will find:
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VI REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT CALENDAR APRIL 2023
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My name is Kristin Walkus and I am a licensed practical nurse in a temporary Health Coach role. My family is from both Quatsino and Gwa’sa-Nakwaxda’xw. Nursing has provided me with experience in mental health and addictions, acute care, long-term care, and clinical research. I have always wanted to connect to Indigenous communities through work and am grateful for this opportunity.
Moving back to Vancouver Island with my family has proven to be a great decision. We have a busy toddler who is showing us how to look at the ordinary with more curiosity, as both a teacher and gift to us. I am lucky to have most of my family close by and witnessing the love and bond between the generations is priceless.
I look forward to meeting and working alongside you.
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The FNHA is pleased to announce $12.5 million in federal funding for a new healing house in Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc to help support survivors of Kamloops Indian Residential School. The funding was jointly announced by Kúkpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir of the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc, Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, and Colleen Erickson, Board Chair of the FNHA.
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The Mental Health & Wellness team invites you to join us for the upcoming Lunch & Learns
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| FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY CONTACTS |
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FNHA COVID-19 Inquiries
If you have general FNHA COVID-19 questions, please email COVID19@fnha.ca
For any requests relating to COVID-19 please email: COVID19needs@fnha.ca |
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Vice President, Vancouver Island
Regional Executive Director, Engagement
Sr. Director, Regional Community Health and Wellness
Manager, Regional Operations
Manager, Community Engagement
Community Engagement Coordinators
- Coast Salish: VACANT
- Nuu-chah-nulth:
- Kwakwaka'wakw:
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Nursing Manager
Community Practice Consultants:
Nurse Navigators:
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Community Relations Representative, Health Benefits
Registered Dental Therapists
- Kim Trottier, Kim.Trottier@fnha.ca (Communities: Stz’uminus, Penelakut, Dzawada’enuxw)
- Janeen Campbell, Janeen.Campbell@fnha.ca (Communities: Cowichan Tribes)
- Melanie Braker, Melanie.Braker@fnha.ca (Communities: Ka;’yu:’k’t’h’/Che;k’tles7et’h’, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, Ahousaht, Ditidaht, Huu-ay-aht, Hupacasath)
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Regional Manager, Health Emergency Management
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Mental Health, Wellness & Traditional Wellness Support
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Regional Manager, Mental Health and Wellness
Quality and Safety Analyst
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Regional Manager, Maternal Child and Family Health,
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Regional Manager, Primary Care
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Primary Care Project Manager
Traditional Wellnes Specialist
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ISLAND HEALTH AUTHORITY CONTACTS |
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South Island Director, Indigenous Health
Central & North Island Director, Indigenous Health
Cultural Safety & Humility Director, Indigenous Health
Medical Director, Indigenous Health
Partnerships, Strategy & Engagement Director, Indigenous Health
Medical Health Officers, Indigenous Health
Indigenous Health Managers
- South Island, Meghan Corder, Meghan.Corder@islandhealth.ca
- Centre Island, Jennifer Jones, Jennifer.Jones6@islandhealth.ca
- Comox Valley/Stratchona, Michelle McClain, Irene.McClain@islandhealth.ca
- Mount Waddington, Dean Wilson, Dean.Wilson@islandhealth.ca
- Indigenous Health South Island Community Services, Alena Peters, Alena.Peters@islandhealth.ca
- Partnerships & Community Engagement, Trevor Day, Trevor.Day@islandhealth.ca
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The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) does not tolerate anti-Indigenous racism. In light of recent statements issued by the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and the First Nations Leadership Council regarding the treatment of a First Nations Cultural Advisor and staff member by the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, the FNHA will be securing an alternate venue that is culturally safe for our upcoming First Nations Health and Wellness Summit on April 4-6, 2023.
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The FNHA is happy to announce that Dr. Evan Adams will be rejoining the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO) on March 20, 2023, as part-time Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Public Health. Dr. Adams has spent the past three years at Indigenous Services Canada as Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Public Health, with a focus on the national COVID-19 response.
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As part of National Nutrition Month, the FNHA is highlighting the Wet'suwet'en huntresses who are going out onto their traditional lands. Not only was their week-long retreat about hunting and learning gun safety, but also about getting in touch with the land and understanding the culture and history of the territory.
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Former NHL Star Jordin Tootoo Speaks at
Addictions Forum
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The last day of the Northern Addictions Engagement and Knowledge Exchange Forum in Prince George saw former NHL star, Jordin Tootoo, present as a keynote speaker. He spoke openly about intergenerational trauma, his public struggle with addiction, and his road to recovery. In his presentation, he asked the audience to have the courage to be vulnerable by being open and honest, and acknowledge others may be going through hidden battles.
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Snuneymuxw First Nation Welcomes Back The Junior All Native Tournament in 2023
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The Junior All-Native Tournament (JANT) kicked off in Snuneymuxw Territory (Nanaimo, Vancouver Island) on a Sunday evening with an opening ceremony and celebration hosted by the Snuneymuxw Nation. JANT is one of the largest gatherings of young First Nations athletes, representing over 34 Nations — more than 1,200 youth between the ages of 9 - 17.
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"This is more than just a basketball game," Brennan MacDonald, FNHA VP of Regional Operations, said during her opening ceremony speech. "It is a celebration of our culture, our communities and pride. It demonstrates what we, as Indigenous people are really about, inclusion and unity, and that we are stronger together as one."
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The lights dimmed, and smoke omitted the entrance as the teams entered the room during opening ceremonies. As the music got louder and the announcer called out the team names, the energy elevated throughout the room! Parents were cheering on their children, and teammates were laughing and smiling as they proudly held up their signs —elders sitting at the front of the stadium, watching their youth carrying the teachings and hope of our Ancestors.
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Six locations around the Nanaimo area hosted basketball games and they were all live-streamed by Canada's First Nations Radio (CFNR), the official broadcaster for the JANT, with avid baller Kiefer Collison calling the shots during the play-by-play. Those games are available on replay at CFNR.
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As an event sponsor, the FNHA Vancouver Island Regional Team had booths set up in the main lobby area at John Barsby Secondary School. Sharing information on programs and services as well as Naloxne training provided by the Mental Health & Wellness team.
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The Engagement team set up a photo booth in front of a cedar backdrop with a variety of wellness props and throughout the six-day tournament, families and teams turned moments into memories with a keep-sake picture.
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The teams enjoyed the wellness props, especially the basketballs! Some chose to get their photo taken with their friend, family member or coach and others jumped in on their own striking their best pose! It was a lot of fun! |
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The FNHA is honoured to be a sponsor of this tournament. To see our young ones learning sportsmanship, getting awards, and showing pride in who they are as Indigenous people gives us hope. It's more than just a ball game. It's about life, and time, and change. It's a story that has history and chapters ready to be written.
We raise our hands to the Snuneymuxw First Nations and all of the organizers that made this event happen for our youth! You did an incredible job!
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Come out to support recognition of and awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Location: Si’em Lelum - 5574 River Road, Duncan BC
On-site Registration: Friday May 5th - 9 am to 11 am
Event opens: 12:00 p.m.
Walk / Run begins: 1:00 p.m.
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The University of Saskatchewan's College of Dentistry is accepting applications to Canada's only dental therapy program. It's a two-year program open to recent high-school grads and mature students. Indigenous students receive priority for admission and the program also provides a culturally appropriate learning environment. As members of a multidisciplinary team, dental therapists provide restorative dental treatment services, disease prevention and oral health promotion programs to maintain and improve health.
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There are a number of funding opportunities for First Nations. Interim Applications for time-limited funding under Sections 8 and 9 of the Indigenous Languages Act are available to support the revitalization of First Nations languages. Funding is also available for Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care - Quality Improvement Projects. The First Peoples' Cultural Council is also providing funding for Reclaiming My Language, a course to assist silent speakers to reclaim their language. Silent speakers are people who spoke their language before attending residential school or people who grew up hearing their language and understand it but do not speak it.
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Join the UBC's Learning Circle on Thursday, April 6 from 10-11:30 a.m., for a conversation about the importance of cultivating safe spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ people for healing. This conversation is to be held with members of the 2SLGBTQ+ Community as well as folks who have been working with IRSSS to center these experiences. The webinar is free and open to all.
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